Posts Tagged “feature”
Following near perfect weather throughout New York state during the spring, apple growers and shippers are beaming with optimism for the upcoming shipping season.
New York apple shipments should get underway in late August or early September.
“Following last year’s below average apple crop and a normal winter, trees this spring responded with healthy and hearty buds that produced a fantastic bloom,” Kaari Stannard, president of New York Apple Sales Inc., of Glenmount, NY, said in a news release. Warm May weather was ideal for pollination, she said.
There also is a positive outlook for apple crops from New York Apple Sales growers across the state.
“As of now, we are not seeing any skips or holes in the 2018 crop,” Jeff Crist, partner in Crist Bros. of Walden, N.Y., said in the release. “We have a great opportunity with this crop, but as always we are cautiously optimistic.”
Jason Woodworth of Lamont Fruit Farms, of Waterport, N.Y., sees plenty of potential for this season’s crop of SweeTango apples.
“We are off to a great start with our SweeTango crop. We had an excellent return bud and bloom, and the conditions were fantastic,” Woodworth said in the release. “Because of our newer plantings and growing systems, we have the potential to produce the highest-color and best-sized SweeTango crop ever.”
New York Apple Sales is one of two New York companies authorized by Next Big Thing to market SweeTango apples in select markets.
Growers also describe a great start to the growing season for up-and-coming varieties such as Koru, EverCrisp, SnapDragon and RubyFrost, as well as for more established varieties like Honeycrisp, gala, fuji, mcintosh, cortland, empire, red and golden delicious.
New York is the second-largest apple producing state in the country. Only Washington State produces more apples than the Empire State. Perennially, Michigan ranks third; Pennsylvania and California round out the top five.
New York State apples are grown on about 41,000 acres, in six major production districts around the entire state:
- Champlain Valley
- Eastern Hudson Valley
- Western Hudson Valley
- Central
- Lake Country
- Niagara Frontier
(Source: USDA 2007 Agricultural Census)
Top 10 apple-growing counties are:
- Wayne
- Ulster
- Orleans
- Niagara
- Clinton
- Columbia
- Monroe
- Orange
- Onondaga
- Dutchess
California is expected one of its larger grape season shipping season on record. Meanwhile, Washington state stone fruit shipments are gearing up.
San Joaquin Valley grape shipments get underway in the southern district of Arvin next week and will have a significant growth in several newer table grape varieties and an overall increase in volume compared to a year ago. It also is expected to be the second-largest California table grape shipping season in history.
The 2018 crop estimate statewide that also includes the Coachella Valley is estimated at 115 million boxes [19-pound equivalent], up from last year’s 109 million boxes. This increase will be coming from the San Joaquin Valley. The record is 117.5 million boxes for the 2013 crop.
Although most of the volume increase in 2018 will be in Kern and Tulare counties, there are also more plantings in the Arvin district , which is traditionally the earliest district in the valley.
By contrast, volume is down in the Coachella Valley in California’s southern desert, where the season is coming to an end. The 2018 estimate for the Coachella Valley is 4.5 million boxes, down from 5 million last year. The Coachella season precedes the San Joaquin Valley season and corresponds to the timing of the Sonora, Mexico, grape deal. Sonora and Coachella are often referred to, collectively, as desert grapes (although sometime, in the California context, the term is used in reference to Coachella only).
Sonora grape growers are estimating a harvest this year of 16 million boxes, down from 21 million last year. A smooth transition from the Sonora and Coachella seasons into the early San Joaquin deal is expected. Coachella and Sonora are roughly about 20 percent less than what they were last year.
Washington Stone Fruit Shipments
Early season stone fruit shipments start in July and will peak in volume from mid-August to late September. About one-half Washington state stone fruit acreage in now planted organic and by the end of 2018 it will be over two-thirds organic.
Washington peaches, nectarines, apricots and Italian prunes are expected to be similar in volume to 2017.
In 2017, Washington’s 400 stone fruit growers harvested 8,400 tons of peaches, which is an average size crop. Nectarines had 7,000 tons, while apricots came in with 6,600 tons, trending upward from previous years.
Peach and nectarine shipments start in July and peaking in August and September. Apricots started in June and go through July, with some extending into August. Prune shipments occur during July and August.
EAGLE, Idaho – The top teams from the Mountain West and Mid-American Conferences will go head to head on Friday, December 21st at the 22nd Annual Famous Idaho® Potato Bowl (FIPB).
Kickoff is 2:00 p.m. MST/4:00 p.m. EST on the blue turf at Boise State University’s Albertsons Stadium; it will air live on ESPN. At the 2017 FIPB the Wyoming Cowboys (Mountain West Conference), defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas (Mid-American Conference), 37-14. More than two million fans nationwide watched it live on ESPN, along with NFL recruiters who kept a sharp eye on the game.
Wyoming’s quarterback Josh Allen was the Buffalo Bill’s first round pick, and seventh overall draft pick. Additionally, four other FIPB alum were recruited by the NFL this spring. The FIPB has a history of producing top athletes including:
- Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (Boston College)
- Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans (Western Michigan University)
- Mark Nzeocha, San Francisco 49ers (University of Wyoming)
- Thomas Rawls, Seattle Seahawks (Central Michigan)
2018 marks the eighth year the IPC has been the naming sponsor of the premier cold-weather college football bowl game. “Pairing America’s favorite potato with one of America’s favorite sports has proven to be very effective,” explained Frank Muir, President & CEO, IPC. “The brand awareness this bowl game generates among our target audience across the country is enormous. And, that’s extremely important because it helps increase demand for Idaho® potatoes, the state’s most important agricultural crop. The potato industry generates more than $4.5 billion in annual revenue and employs more than 30,000 people.” The Famous Idaho® Potato Bowl is one of 35 bowl games ESPN will televise over 17 days. The Famous Idaho® Potato Bowl is owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN. Tickets go on sale to the general public in September through www.ticketmaster.com or the Bronco Stadium ticket office at (208) 426-4737. For premium ticket packages and sponsorship information contact the Famous Idaho® Potato Bowl office at (208) 424-1011.
About The Idaho Potato Commission
Established in 1937, the IPC is a state agency responsible for promoting and protecting the famous “Grown in Idaho®” seal, a federally registered certification mark that assures consumers are purchasing genuine, top-quality Idaho® potatoes. Idaho’s growing season of warm days and cool nights, ample mountain-fed irrigation, and rich volcanic soil give Idaho® potatoes their unique texture, taste and dependable performance, which differentiates them from potatoes grown in other states.
Higher freight rates, particularly from western shipping states, are making Michigan summer produce more attractive to buyers and receivers. The result is boosting Michigan produce demand and truck rates, because of the freight advantage of being closer to markets in the eastern half of the U.S.
The electronic logging device (ELD)mandate also is created with making trucking cost significantly more expensive.
For example, E. Miedema & Sons of Byron Center, MI will be shipping more summer vegetables to markets closer to home. Michigan sweet corn shippers have a significant freight advantage over Florida corn to midwestern markets. Sometimes Florida corn may cost as much in freight as the f.o.b. Additionally, shipping to closer markets means the corn is that much fresher. Sweet corn will not start for a few more weeks.
Superior Sales of Hudsonville, MI is another shipper noticing higher freight rates determining where receivers source their product.
Van Solkema Produce of Byron Center, MI is another shipper finding more interest in their Michigan grown produce in part due to the lower transportation costs.
As a result over the past five years the shipper has started handling items beyond the traditional staple produce items such as brussel sprouts and green onions.
Naturipe Farms of Estero, FL also handles Michigan blueberries. They ship Michigan “blues” to practically every major midwestern retail chain.
Michigan asparagus shipments also has experienced changes in the last few years. Michigan “grass” used to be known as a local product with distribution mainly limited to in-state receivers. It eventually widened its appeal and extended to markets on the east coast. This season a significant amount of Michigan asparagus is being shipped to destinations west of the Mississippi River. There are now even a couple of West Coast companies that are marketing asparagus for Michigan shippers. The asparagus season in Michigan is just wrapping up.
Close-up on woman’s mouth with cherry
By BC Tree Fruits Cooperative
KELOWNA, BC – With the sunshine in the Okanagan Valley and summer on the horizon, the excitement is growing as the summer fruits from the orchards of BC Tree Fruits Cooperative (BC Tree Fruits) growers’ are near. A combination of ideal weather conditions through bloom and the post-bloom periods as well as new production coming on has resulted in an estimated 12 million pound cherry crop this season.
Consumers will start seeing Okanagan cherries from the orchards of BC Tree Fruits in stores starting the end of June and with the anticipated record crop over the warm summer months.
The 12 million pounds of BC Tree Fruits cherries estimated for this season matches the estimate from last season – although the crop in 2017 came in short of the initial estimate at 10.1 million pounds due to weather challenges across the region. In addition to cherries, BC Tree Fruits is anticipating a very good peach, nectarine, prune, plum and table grape crop with volumes either slightly up or similar to last year.
“Mother nature served our growing regions with ideal weather conditions through bloom into the post-bloom period, which has resulted in a lot of fruit on the trees,” says BC Tree Fruits Marketing Manager Chris Pollock. “Our growers are excited and prepared for great summer fruits crop this year with harvest starting end of June for cherries in the South, with the fruit hitting retail shelves very soon after.”
The primary market for BC Tree Fruits summer fruits remains Western Canada. BC Tree Fruits also continues to export increased volumes of cherries to the United States and key export markets.
About BC Tree Fruits Cooperative:
BC Tree Fruits Cooperative is comprised of over 430 local grower families who grow a variety of tree fruit commodities including apples, cherries, pears, peaches, nectarines, apricots, prunes, plums and grapes. BC Tree Fruits head office is located in Kelowna, BC.
by Carrier Transicold
ATHENS, Ga. — Engineered to protect temperature-sensitive products transported by trailer or rail through sub-freezing ambient conditions, Carrier Transicold’s Solara™ heating unit now features the APX™ control system, providing improved functionality.
Using a Z482 2-cylinder diesel engine, compliant with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 4 standard, the Solara unit can generate 50,000 BTU/hour of heating at 0 degrees Fahrenheit ambient to protect against the freezing of sensitive commodities such as produce, beverages, flowers, plants, paints and chemicals, pharmaceuticals and more.
“The addition of the APX controller means Solara unit users now enjoy the same advantages found with our trailer refrigeration system controls,” said Patrick McDonald, product manager, trailer products, Carrier Transicold. “The modular APX system combines control intelligence, temperature control and system reliability with amazingly simple operation.”
The APX controller has an easy-to-read, full-information dashboard-style display and is preloaded with Carrier Transciold’s programmable IntelliSet™ software to easily create heating parameters for different commodities. With the APX controller, the DataLink™ data recorder is now integral to the Solara unit, and a USB port makes for easy data downloading and uploading of information to the controller. Built-in diagnostics simplify service and troubleshooting for technicians.
Options for the Solara unit include:
- DataTrak™ software, which enables remote communications via telematics
- Flush-mount and surface-mount control panels, providing optional control placement on the outside or inside of the trailer
- Fuel-level sensors
- An open-door indicator
- Shutdown switches
Users can choose from fuel tank options ranging from 30 gallons to up to 120 gallons.
For more information about the improved Solara heating unit, turn to the experts in Carrier Transicold’s North America dealer network.
About Carrier Transicold
Carrier Transicold helps improve transport and shipping of temperature-controlled cargoes with a complete line of equipment and services for refrigerated transport and cold chain visibility. For more than 45 years, Carrier Transicold has been an industry leader, providing customers around the world with advanced, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable container refrigeration systems and generator sets, direct-drive and diesel truck units, and trailer refrigeration systems. Carrier Transicold is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide.
by NJ Peach Promotion Council
Glassboro NJ — After a warmer than normal February and a cool March, New Jersey peach growers had a full bloom in mid-April and New Jersey peach shipments will be getting underway by the Fourth of July.
Leonard Grasso, owner of Angelo Grasso and Son Farms with his father Angelo, grows peaches south of Mullica Hill, in Gloucester County, NJ. “We are in good shape with all of our trees pruned, new trees planted, and anticipate a full crop of flowers,” stated Grasso. “We also grow a variety of vegetable crops, which gives us a hedge against financial loss in case we get some flower injury from lower temperatures, or other adverse weather that might reduce our peach crop. The Grassos expect to be marketing peaches from early July into September under the Top Crop label through the marketer Donio Inc in Hammonton. New Jersey.
“We continue to expand our peach and nectarine plantings and are optimistic about a full crop of peaches and nectarines,” said Lewis DeEugenio, owner of Summit City Farms and Winery near Glassboro and president of Jersey Fruit Marketing Cooperative in Glassboro. “We have a planting of the best new yellow-fleshed peaches and nectarines on our new farm on Rte 538 near Monroeville, NJ, which will produce its first big crop this year. We are always looking at new ways to market our Jersey Fruit label and this year have put in a new specialty pack line at Eastern Pro Pak in Glassboro that packs for us and other growers under the Jersey Fruit Brand.”
Recent statistics published by the National Peach Council estimate that NJ growers are producing about 5500 acres of peaches and nectarines and should harvest between 55, and 60 million pounds of fruit in 2018. “We are always optimistic at this time of year,” said Maccherone.
The San Joaquin Valley’s Westside District appears on the verge of having good melon shipments this season for with improved water availability and favorable weather. A significant increase in volume is expected over last year.
For example, Turlock Fruit Co. Inc. of Turlock, CA begins it initial harvest of honeydew and cantaloupe this week. The past several years there has been a lot of fallow ground in the area, but there will be less unused farm land this year.
Melon shipments continue from the deserts of California and Arizona and will be the primary supplier leading up to the Fourth of July, when volume will rapidly decline. The transition between the desert and the Westside districts is expected to be smoother than a year ago, with no gap in supply anticipated.
Westside Produce Inc. of Firebaugh, CA is just getting started, with volume expected to increase after Independence Day.
Last year California conventional cantaloupe shipments from the San Joaquin Valley totaled 14.82 million pound cartons, compared with 2.55 million cartons from the California’s Imperial Valley and 407,000 cartons from California’s Palo Verde Valley.
Those figures were off from 2016, when the USDA reported conventional shipments of California cantaloupe at 18.74 million cartons from the San Joaquin Valley, 4.09 million from California’s Imperial Valley, and 431,750 cartons from California’s Palo Verde Valley.
According to the USDA, conventional shipments of cantaloupe from the San Joaquin Valley in 2017 were 21 percent below 2016 levels and combined conventional cantaloupe shipments from all districts of 17.77 million cartons were off 24 percent from 23.26 million cartons in 2016.
By contrast, organic cantaloupe shipments showed mixed results in 2017, with San Joaquin Valley organic volume up in 2017 and Imperial Valley organic cantaloupe shipments down compared with 2016.
The USDA reported 2017 California organic cantaloupe shipments at 406,000 cartons from San Joaquin Valley, compared with 205,000 cartons from Imperial Valley.
Organic shipments in 2016 from San Joaquin Valley were rated at 396,500 cartons, compared with 337,500 cartons from Imperial Valley.
One should know summertime has arrived when Michigan vegetable shipments are moving into good, normal volume…..Some Washington apple shipments grossing a $1000 more than others.
Following a chilly spring, weather has warmed and crops have really been coming on. Buurma Farms of Gregory, MI started with light volume the last week of May with radishes, which soon were followed by cilantro, parsley, beets and celery.
Van Solkema Produce of Byron Center, MI is just getting underway with squash and cabbage, with initial loadings of celery coming just after the Fourth of July. Soon to follow will be sweet corn and cucumbers. Next will be brussel sprouts sometime during the last half of August.
Superior Sales of Hudsonville, MI handles grown green cabbage which begins any day now. By the last week of June there will be beets, bok choy, napa cabbage, zucchini and yellow squash. Sweet corn program shipments should start the third week of July.
Leitz Farms of Sodus, MI is now starting cucumbers, with blueberries getting underway next week, while grape tomatoes kick off around July 15 and romas and round tomatoes around July 25.
Naturipe Berry Growers, based in Salinas, CA, should begin shipments of Michigan blueberries before the Fourth of July.
Riveridge Produce Marketing of Sparta, MI launches its sweet cherry the first week of July, prune plums beginning August 10th, and early varieties apples in August.
Washington Apple Shipments
by Stemilt Growers
WENATCHEE, Wash. – The sweetest apple around is stepping into the spotlight thanks to Stemilt Growers’ new summertime promotion. The company is marketing its Sweet Summer Fuji Fest now through August with its finest and sweetest Fuji apples of the season.
Apples remain a key category in the produce department during the summer months. A Stemilt Fruit Tracker™ analysis of Nielsen scan data from June through August 2017 found apples to contribute 4.4 percent of total produce sales on average in the U.S. Fuji was the second top selling apple during the summer season in 2017. It accounted for 16.7 percent of apple category volume and 15.8 percent of category sales.
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Washington apple, pear and cherry shipments are grossing about $7200 to New York City, with a few loads being reported as much as $1000 more.
By Mucci Farms
Huron, Ohio — Mucci Farms announces that they are officially harvesting out of Phase 1 of their 60-acre greenhouse facility in Huron, Ohio. “After years of hard work and strategic planning, we’re excited to hit another milestone in the Mucci Farms story,” said Bert Mucci, CEO of Mucci Farms.
The entire 60-acre facility will be growing primarily Tomatoes On-the-Vine with some snack sized specialty tomatoes. The company also announced that the entire 60-acres will be equipped with supplemental High Powered Sodium (HPS) lighting in order to grow through the winter months allowing them to harvest Ohio grown tomatoes 365 days per year. “We chose tomatoes on-the-vine because of its high demand year round, particularly in the winter months,” said Joe Spano, Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “With grow lights in the entire facility, it was important to have a product that was always in demand.”
Headquartered in Kingsville, Ontario, this is Mucci Farms’ first expansion into the United States, where the majority of their product is distributed. “Expanding into Ohio allows us to reduce the food miles for our US retailers and gives US consumers their own locally grown vegetables,” explained Danny Mucci, President of Mucci International Marketing. “With such a high volume of our product already being shipped to the US, expanding into Huron was strategically done to improve efficiencies with logistics and food safety. Our proximity to market and avoiding a border crossing improves our opportunity to offer consumers with fresh, flavourful products with maximum shelf.” In addition to the remaining 36-acres of greenhouses being built in two remaining phases, Mucci Farms Ohio will include a 272,000 square foot distribution facility that will be operational this summer. Harvesting from the final two phases will begin in the spring of 2019 and 2020.
Owning and Operating over 200-acres of tomato, pepper, cucumber, lettuce and strawberry greenhouses in Kingsville, Ontario, Mucci Farms also markets on behalf of 700-acres across the continent.